156 CULTIVATION OF THE GEAPE UNDER GLASS, 



when it appears, is not due to over-cropping, or injuiy to the 

 foliage, nor to the roots having penetrated into the cold subsoU ; 

 and it should be remembered that these causes existing during 

 the previous year, may be the occasion of imperfectly ripened 

 roots, whose death during the past winter is now being felt in 

 the shanking of the grapes ; but that it is possible that it in 

 owing to the border being too heavy, damp, and rich, the only 

 remedy is to raise the roots, remove a portion of the border, and 

 replace with compost in which there is a larger amount of lime 

 rubbish, calcined oyster shells, and coarse bone, say double the 

 quantity previously recommended, with only half the amount of 

 dung. In this poorer and more porous border the roots wQl be 

 more numerous, finer, and more woody, ripening well before 

 autumn, and will survive the winter in a perfectly sound con- 

 dition. It is easier to give one or two good waterings with 

 liquid manure during the grovsing season, to supply the requisite 

 nourishment, than to do without the healthy roots through which 

 it is taken up into the circulation. 



EusT on Grapes is believed to be caused by the application 

 of sulphur to the hot pipes while the Grapes are yet young, and 

 that this may be whoUy avoided if sulphur be not used in this 

 way untU the Grapes have been set some time, and the skin be- 

 come less tender and sensitive. The thick-skinned Grapes, such 

 as the Muscats, are less liable to injury in this way. It is re- 

 commended by able Grape growers to paint the pipes with sul- 

 phur mixed with milk and water as soon as the red spider makes 

 its appearance, which it wiU do in the hottest part of the house 

 first, and repeat this painting once a week. It is considered the 

 real specific for this great pest; yet, where the atmosphere of the 

 house is kept at the proper moisture, and never allowed to get 

 too dry, and the house properly cleansed every year, there is 

 much less danger of its becoming troublesome. It will be seen, 

 however, from what has been said on the subject of Eust, care 

 must be used, lest in killing the red spider with sulphur, you 

 injure the Grapes with Eust. 



